KNOW THE NEW GUYS: MIKE DALHUISEN

With camp set to begin in a couple weeks, SoundTigers.com would like to introduce you to a few of the new faces set to join the squad this season.

After a four-year career at Quinnipiac University, Mike Dalhuisen opted to stay in Connecticut and sign a deal with the Sound Tigers at the end of last season. Though he didn’t appear in any games, he is poised to patrol the blue line with Bridgeport in 2013-14.

Flying Dutchman: Born in Nijmegen, Holland, Dalhuisen came to North America to play juniors in both Canada and the United States before entering Quinnipiac. Should he crack an NHL lineup, Dalhuisen would be just the second player born in the Netherlands to do so, joining Ed Kea, who played with two NHL teams from 1973 to 1983.

A Winning Attitude: Dalhuisen was a member of the most successful team in Quinnipiac history last season. After winning the regular-season ECAC title, the Bobcats went all the way to the NCAA championship game before losing to Yale.Size and Strength: At 6’3”, 210 lbs., Dalhuisen is an imposing figure at defenseman. He was among the league leaders in penalty minutes in his final USHL season in 2008-09, recording 140.

Blasts from the Blue Line: At the skills competition following the Blue and Orange Scrimmage at Islanders Development Camp, Dalhiusen recorded the hardest shot of any player there. His slapshot clocked in at a sizzling 97 MPH.

Two-Way Threat: Dalhuisen netted eight goals in 42 games for Quinnipiac last season, the most of any defenseman on the team. He was also tied for second in goals by an ECAC defenseman in 2012-2013.

Don’t Get Scored On: At +21, Dalhuisen’s plus/minus rating was second in the ECAC last season, just behind Quinnipiac teammate Danny Federico.Rivals Turned Teammates: Dalhuisen and fellow Sound Tigers defenseman Mike Keenan have seen a lot of each other over the years. After playing against each other in the USHL from 2007 to 2009 (Dalhuisen for Lincoln, Keenan for Sioux City), the two spent the past four seasons as ECAC rivals, with Keenan attending Dartmouth College.